RancheroSteve

Update: After some time off to concentrate on the 289 HiPo, I'm getting back to this one. I've opened up the hood, cut out the radiator opening, removed the windshield, fixed the cowl and interior opening, made some new headlight buckets from brass tubing, and started building up the trunk area. Onward!

Thanks for the kind words, everyone! The parts are out of my hands now and will be going off to the caster soon. I'll post more pics down the road.

First, keep in mind this represents the 1963 version of the HiPo (which was an option on the Fairlane that year). The tube coming out of the timing cover is the oil fill tube (as Maindrian Pace pointed out). In 1964, they went to a valve cover breather/fill cap arrangement. The manifold shown IS the HiPo manifold, which is essentially the same manifold as all 4v 289s. The manifold you're probably thinking of is the aluminum hi-rise, which was a Total Performance/Shelby aftermarket option.

For the past few months I've put aside most of the other projects on my bench to concentrate on producing a set of master parts (to be cast by a well-known caster) of a detailed and accurate early Ford 289 HiPo with a five-bolt bellhousing and narrow bolt pattern T10 transmission. Most of the parts are heavily modified from various kit sources and completely scratchbuilt in some cases. Photo-etched brass surfaces were created for block, head, belhousing and transmission surfaces. I made these engine master parts for use in The Lynx Project, which has been organized to explain and explore the missing Mercury Lynx concept cars 1964. Until fairly recently, no one knew that these concept cars existed. I'm part of a large project organized to re-tell the story, in 1/25 scale, of how these cars were designed, built at both Dearborn Steel Tubing and Bertone, and eventually hidden in an Indiana warehouse to escape the company's "crush the concept car" order. A few examples of the parts follow. Keep in mind these are in an "almost done" stage - final surface finish still needs to be applied in most cases. The block: Bellhousing: Block with timing chain cover: Transmission, which will be getting a p/e linkage: Intake manifold with thermostat housing and carb spacer: Cylinder head and valve cover: Generator bracket: Block with timing cover, water pump and balancer: Thanks for looking. If you'd like to read more about this project, check this out: http://www.thelynxproject.org/

Testors makes a "Pontiac Engine Blue" - that would be my best guess. http://www.testors.com/products/136569

Just to clarify: the non-stock Comets in the photo I was referring to have later factory wheels, but stock '65 Cyclones (which I'm assuming is what Moebius plans to produce) came with hubcaps that resembled chrome wheels. Not a lot of discernible difference in 1/25th scale, I'll admit. http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/181235169677?lpid=82

Yes, I was thinking along those lines too - most of the T-Bolt stuff would work. Depending on the specific car - at a specific time, different front suspension set-ups were used: modified stock suspension, straight axles. The B/FX cars used 289s, the A/FX and exhibition cars used the 427 and later the cammer. Lots of changes in a short time on these cars . . . right on the cusp of the funny car era.

And come to think of it, the Cyclone might have only come as a two door hardtop, but there were Caliente convertibles. Mostly just a change in grills and some trim between the two, if you ordered your Caliente with a "Super Cyclone V8".

Yes - that hood was never an option on the Comet, but a fiberglas item that was used on drag cars. I believe they ran ducts from those scoops to the carbs, a la the Fairlane Thunderbolt. Also note that both of those cars have non-stock wheels; what look like chrome reverse wheels on the stock Cyclone are actually hubcaps.

Absolutely - I'd love to see both versions! Although there are a LOT of differences (in addition to engines) between a stock Cyclone and the A/FX drag versions.

A little hard to tell from this photo, but that looks like a non-stock 427 in that Comet engine bay. I know this is a just an announcement/concept graphic - I'm assuming that Moebius will soon figure out that Comet Cyclones came stock with 289s.

Wow, that's pretty exciting! Based on their work on the Hudson and Chrysler, if anyone can get it right, I think Moebius can.

Here's something from the GPMA site that might answer some questions: http://gpma.org/blog/?p=69

Wow - that was fast! I don't think anyone but you is going to fret about the 1/16". Awesome build!

Good article here: http://www.motortrend.com/classic/roadtests/1110_1949_kurtis_sport_car_drive/viewall.html With lots of excellent pics of a beautifully restored car.

Thanks Len - good pics! Looks like a lot of cool cars and some fine models there. I haven't been able to put much time into the Kurtis lately - I'm working on another model project with a deadline, but I'm itching to get back to it.

Always interesting to learn something new - a good article on Bill Rutan and his car here: http://www.hemmings.com/hsx/stories/2011/06/01/hmn_feature5.html

Great - this will be a very cool and different project! What are those wheels on the real car?

Similar Potvin blower set-up, but the engine in the Orange Crate is an 417" Olds.

Yes, the Mooneyes frame and the Attempt 1 frame are essentially the same (and not completely correct for either one) with only a few small differences. I'm not a kit historian by any means, but my guess is that the Revell parts pack frame (marketed as the Mooneyes frame) is the same as what's in the double kit: Here's what I ended up with after trying to "accuratize" the Attempt 1: And here's the box art from the Mooneyes/Sanitary T double kit:

Another cool build, Phil! I've got a partially built one in a box that I hope to tackle one day.

William - I just saw this thread - that's my build in the first post up there. Glad I could provide some inspiration! Like you, I immediately began noticing the deficiencies of the kit as well as the differences between the original car and the replica, and also noticed that the first car went through a lot of changes in a very short time. If you look closely at the photos in the Hot Rod Magazine article, you can tell that the car isn't even quite finished yet. Later photos show some pretty obvious changes - wheels & tires, and mounting of the gas tank, for example. No model (none of mine anyway) is perfect, but my objective - as it looks like yours is - was to make a more accurate version of the original Mooneyes Dragster. I used the chassis from a partial Mooneyes double kit and modified it with extra bars, etc. The engine in mine is the Revell parts item, the front axle is from the Tony Nancy double kit, and a few parts came from the Attempt 1 kit. There's also a few scratchbuilt and aftermarket items in there. It looks like this build is coming along very nicely! Happy to see someone taking to the next level - I'll be watching and enjoying your progress.

Actually from what I read, the Kurtis 500S wasn't too common either - only about 25 - 30 built. I saw one driving around Ojai once.

I've seen photos of a few of the later Kurtis' that had vent windows, but I'm thinking in this case the whole windshield frame is going away and will be replaced.

Excellent detailing work -those braided lines and fittings look really good.